As we’ve covered before, there are plenty of great solutions to vent dryer exhaust. At HY-C, we manufacture one such solution called SnugDryer. This all-in-one kit acts as a bridge between your dryer’s exhaust port and your in-wall vent, making connecting, disconnecting, and cleaning simple.
In this guide, we’re going to take a look at how to install SnugDryer properly. So whether you’re a contractor installing SnugDryer in a new home during the construction process or a homeowner looking to retrofit an existing dryer vent system, stick around — this guide will help.
Before Getting Started…
Before you begin the installation process, let’s go over some of the tools you’ll need to complete the job and what’s included in the SnugDryer kit.
To install SnugDryer, you’ll need:
- A drill
- A drywall saw (also called a jab saw or a keyhole saw)
- A box cutter (or a pair of scissors)
- A flathead screwdriver
- A Phillips head bit (or a Phillips head screwdriver)
- A 5/16” drill bit
While you’re at it, make sure you have all the pieces in your SnugDryer kit. It includes:
- The dryer vent adapter
- The front plate
- The gasket
- The back plate
- 2 hose clamps
- 4 Phillips head screws
- 4 drywall anchors
When all of the kit’s pieces are accounted for and all of your tools are present, you’re ready to get started.
How to Install SnugDryer
Step 1: Locate the In-Wall Dryer Vent
To start, find the in-wall dryer vent to which you’ll be connecting your dryer. If you’re installing SnugDryer in an existing dryer vent system, simply find the vent to which your dryer was already attached.
If you’re installing SnugDryer in a new dryer vent system (e.g., in a house that’s under construction), rough in a dryer exhaust vent. Don’t secure it yet; rather, allow the vent to maintain some vertical give.
Step 2: Mark the Drywall
The next step is to determine where in the drywall you’ll need to cut in order to attach the dryer vent adapter to the in-wall vent.
To do this, start by attaching the dryer vent adapter to the exhaust port on the back of your dryer. Then, push the dryer into the wall with some force (but not enough to puncture the drywall!).
The 8 dimples on the end of the dryer vent adapter will leave impressions in the drywall. Use a pen or a marker and clearly mark the impressions left by the dryer vent adapter.
Next, cut out the stencil included on the bottom of your SnugDryer box. Note that your stencil may be colored red, blue, and white or gray, green, and white. Both stencils are the same.
Using your box cutter (or a pair of scissors), cut out the corner marked “BOTTOM” on the stencil. Next, cut out the innermost white circle of the stencil.
After that’s done, use your drill and 5/16” drill bit to drill out the 4 black holes on the stencil.
Now, place the stencil against the drywall, making sure to line the now-cut innermost circle up with the 8 dimple impressions you marked earlier in this step.
With the stencil placed precisely on the wall, carefully mark the 4 drill holes in the stencil on the drywall using your marker or pen.
Next, cut out the outermost circle of the stencil using your box cutter or pair of scissors. Again, note that this circle will either be blue or green.
Finally, place the stencil back on the wall again, making sure to align it carefully with the 4 drill holes and the 8 dimple impressions made earlier in this step. Using your marker or pen, trace the circumference of the hole left in your stencil.
Step 3: Cut a Hole in the Drywall
Using your drywall saw, cut a hole in the drywall along the circle that you traced at the end of step 2. Take your time, making sure to cut along the trace line as carefully and accurately as possible.
With your drill and your 5/16” drill bit, drill out the 4 small holes around the freshly cut hole that you had marked with your stencil.
Step 4: Attach and Insert the Back Plate
Now, insert the small, round end of the back plate into the in-wall dryer vent. Using your flathead screwdriver, fasten one of the included hose clamps onto this connection point, ensuring that the back plate is secured firmly to the in-wall dryer vent.
With the back plate attached to the in-wall dryer vent, you may now slide the back plate into the drywall. Provided you traced and cut the hole in your drywall precisely, the back plate should fit snugly into the drywall hole.
Finally, ensure that the three vertical slots (and the single hole at the bottom) of the back plate align with the holes you drilled into the drywall (at the end of step 3).
Step 5: Attach the Gasket and Front Plate
Next, insert the black gasket into the front plate. The gasket should align flush with the lip on the back side of the front plate.
Now, join the front plate to the back plate, ensuring the gasket fits snugly in between them. Using your Phillips head bit (or a Phillips head screwdriver), insert 4 Phillips head screws through the front plate, gasket, and back plate and into your 4 pre-drilled drywall holes to hold the housing in place.
Note that if any of the holes don’t align with a wall stud, you may use as many of the 4 included drywall anchors you need to ensure a secure connection.
Step 6: Connect Your Dryer to Complete Installation
Now, attach the dryer vent adapter to the exhaust port on the back of your dryer, ensuring that the end with the 8 dimple holes face out and away from the dryer. Use the other hose clamp to ensure the dryer vent adapter stays securely attached to the dryer exhaust port.
Finally, align the dryer vent adapter with the housing you’ve installed into your drywall. After they’re aligned, simply push the dryer into the wall, inserting the dryer vent adapter into the gasket that’s sandwiched between the front plate and back plate of the wall housing.
With that, your SnugDryer installation is complete!
How Do You Maintain Your Dryer Vent System?
By now, your dryer should be attached to your dryer vent system with SnugDryer. Not only will this help you to save space in your laundry room by placing the dryer as closely to the wall as possible, but the rigid dryer vent adapter will also ensure the smooth, uninterrupted flow of exhaust and lint into your in-wall vent.
As helpful as SnugDryer is, though, it won’t necessarily let you off the hook for dryer vent maintenance. Lint and other debris can still build up in the in-wall dryer vent over time.
You can pay a professional to clean this system, or you can use a DIY dryer vent cleaning kit like LintEater. The guide below has more information on what LintEater is and how to use it to keep your dryer exhaust system as safe, clean, and efficient as possible.
